They Don't Know About Us
Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to They Don't Know About Us! I just want to thank you all once again for all your comments and kudos! They mean a lot to me! I honestly can't believe that this fic has hit over 1k kudos. Just stemming from a random crack idea that I thought not really anyone would like turned into this and man, it makes me want to cry looking at how much you guys are enjoying this! So, thank you so much! It makes me want to go back to the beginning just to have that feeling of just amazement again. So, thank you so much for your support! Seeing your comments are like fuel for my brain that just keep me going! Thank you so much again! On with the fic!
Y'all gonna hate Buggy for a moment cause of some things he says to Shanks. I personally really like Buggy. I think he's funny and entertaining. I have something planned for later between Buggy and Shanks. So just bare with me, Buggy's trying to just be an asshole for a moment cause of the "bad blood".
Chapter Warnings: Dissociation, Episodes of PTSD, plus more.
Chapter Twenty-Three: In The End (by Black Veil Brides)
Chapter Summary: Shanks has issued a challenge to the Strawhats as Luffy starts to relive the moments that brought him here. Ace has a scare. The Strawhats must make a decision about their future. Shanks sees the damage on the straw hat. Marines must act in the aftermath of the war, making discoveries that could change the tide of the future.
"Wait, you want all of us to fight you?!" Nami exclaimed, the shock evident on her face. Shanks smiled, crossing his arms as he cocked his head to the side. It was kind of amusing watching the way that Nami, Usopp, and Chopper started to panic.
"How hard could it be? Us against one man?" Franky questioned.
"He isn't just any man." Zoro stated. "I've made that mistake once; I'm not doing it again. Just because he is challenging us one against nine doesn't mean we should take this lightly."
Shanks smirked as Luffy grinned, hitting his closed fist against his palm. "You're on." Luffy declared, not even thinking twice.
Shanks turned on his heel, looking out to the others, with a shout of, "Clear the deck!" His nakama were instantly working, moving everything out of the way and moving to stand by the rails. He crossed the deck, standing more towards the mast before turning to face the Strawhats. They were lined up with Luffy in the middle.
"Luffy! I have I won't fight a yonko disease! I'll die!" Usopp exclaimed.
Luffy ignored him as Shanks heard Robin say, "This is a good opportunity. I doubt Red-Haired Shanks will kill his own son's nakama."
One thing he had noted really quickly was how overconfident some of them were, others were afraid of the mere thought of fighting him. Luffy just looked excited. Luffy had still yet to ever actually managed to hit him even after the start of their training together. Maybe this time, he might just get lucky. The point of him doing this was more than just to gage their strength. It was to see if they were prepared for the New World. At the moment, he doubted they were. Though, at Marineford none of them had been at full strength. Even then, there is always the possibility of being attacked. No enemy will care about exhaustion. Hunger. Weakness. Illness. They will attack no matter what. He needed Luffy to be prepared for that. Honestly, Luffy should know. He had grown up in the New World for most of his life after Shanks finally decided to take his journey into the New World. Leaving Paradise behind. Leaving the Blue seas behind.
Even if Luffy knew, his crew didn't. They definitely knew now that Luffy had grown up there, and it might add more fuel into their overconfidence about their strengths. One wrong move and they all could die. Luffy had already faced a devastating defeat at the hands of Kuma once. Witnessing his entire crew being wiped out right before his eyes. Even if they did end up on the same island together. Going through Impel Down and eventually Marineford. Just these events alone should be enough to tell them that they weren't prepared for what the New World could bring. Shanks could tell just by looking at them.
"If we just team up, we should be able to at least do something." Sanji stated. "He's a yonko. We can't forget that. There is reason he's one of the four. Even Garp said he managed to get to this level because he's one of the brightest."
"That means we need to use our heads." Nami said, a mixture of uncertainty and determination on her face as she pulled out her Clim-A-Tact. "I'm talking about you, Luffy."
Shanks snorted.
He might have some fun with this.
"I would think wisely on what you are going to do." Shanks said, bringing their attention to him. "I could beat you without even looking."
A few of the Strawhats made a sound of annoyance as Shanks crossed his arms over his chest, cocking his head to the side and letting the smirk play on his lips. He could already hear the bets starting among the crews standing around the decks. Ace was playing middleman, taking their bets and placing them on the table he was sitting at. He could hear Rouge snickering as the Strawhats continued to say that they stood a chance against him.
Shanks hated to be the barrier of bad news. They couldn't. At least, not at the current place they were. For a split second, he felt bad for challenging them. If it helped them make a decision before they reached Sabaody, it would work. If they stuck close by to them, they would have their assistance, but the point of his pups leaving were to start their own crews. Become their own person on the sea. Not rely on their parents to protect them. Luffy wants nothing more than to become the King of the Pirates. He can't do that if he's relying on Shanks to keep him safe in the New World. Luffy has to do it on his own. He knows Luffy can. He knows his son has everything he needs to continue on his journey. From what he had seen, Luffy was so hyper focused that he didn't even think of using the skills he had been taught.
"I'm going to hit you this time!" Luffy exclaimed. "I've learned a lot since I left home."
Shanks smirked. "I would love to see you try."
X
Luffy still had the grin on his face as he stood into a fighting stance. Preparing for his first attack. He had done this numerous times at this point and had yet to be able to land a hit on Shanks. His Observation Haki was just that impressively good. There had been more than once that Shanks had worn a blindfold and let them just have at it. Working together. Working alone. Luffy one day wanted to be at that level.
"Alright, guys, be careful." Luffy said.
He gained confirmations from his nakama as they stood ready to fight. Getting into their own positions. "So, this is really okay?" Usopp questioned.
"Sure is." Shanks stated, still standing there with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Here we go." Franky muttered, going in for the first attack before anyone could blink.
"Franky, wait!" Luffy exclaimed.
Shanks barely side stepped, bringing his leg up and kicking him on his shoulder, sending him crashing into the nearby rail. "He barely touched him." Sanji whispered, the disbelief in his voice.
"Luffy, I might be able to capture him." Robin whispered, keeping her voice low enough that Shanks wouldn't be able to hear. Luffy didn't miss the way that Shanks' eyes went straight to Robin a smirk on his lips. Her arms were already in position to use her Hana Hana no Mi.
He gasped as he felt the familiar tingle going down his spine of Shanks' haki. "Robin—" Before he could finish his sentence, a flash of red came by his face and Robin disappeared. He turned on his heel, seeing Shanks standing there with Robin's arms pinned behind her back and the stunned look on her face.
"I figured she would try to use her abilities to capture me, so taking her out first had always been my priority. She can really change the tide of a fight." Shanks mused, grabbing a nearby piece of rope, and quickly securing her arms into place. He carefully moved to place her down, letting her back lean against the cabins instead of letting her fall to the ground. Luffy growled as he balled his fists. That was two of them in an instant. He couldn't count them being out of the fight just yet. They still had a chance to get back into it.
"He moves to quickly. I didn't even see him." Zoro growled. "This is irritating."
"Like I said, we have to think this through." Nami exclaimed.
"Oh man, I'm going to die." Usopp cried.
"You're a brave warrior of the sea aren't you?" Luffy questioned. Usopp eyed him for a moment before nodding. "Then you've got this. See the mast, try to get up there and we'll stand guard over it."
Shanks hummed. "Is it really wise to be planning where I can hear you?" Luffy gritted his teeth as he pulled back his arm. "Aren't you going to be the Pirate King? Right now, you don't stand a chance."
Luffy let out a growl as he sent out a punch. Letting his arm stretch out. "Gomu Gomu Jet Pistol!" Shanks moved his head to the side, his hair moving from the force behind the punch.
"Is that all you got, Luffy?" Shanks questioned before once again he was disappearing right before their eyes. Usopp screeched as his feet lifted off of the ground and he went crashing into the rail beside him, letting out a pain gasped as his back collided with the wood.
"USOPP!" Luffy screamed.
Luffy felt the itch behind his eyes as Zoro surged forward before anyone would stop him. One blade in his mouth and the other two in hand. "Damnit, Zoro! No!" Sanji screamed. Shanks' back was turned to them, but by his body language he could tell that he was waiting for Zoro's attack. Letting him get in close.
It felt like he was watching Sabaody all over again. Seeing his nakama disappear right before his eyes. Even though they had reunited back on Amazon Lily. The sinking feeling of watching his crewmates fall to defeat. Franky had still yet to move. Usopp was making small noises of shock as his fingers twitched. Robin was still trying to set herself free.
"Onigiri!" Zoro shouted just as Shanks turned, kicking off of the wood. Flipping over Zoro's head, placing his palm flat against green hair before bringing his knee down right in between the Swordsman's shoulder blades. Sending him crashing to the ground. Shanks was already back to his feet as Sanji ran forward, a growl leaving him as he flipped onto his hands. Giving a spinning kick that Shanks dunked under. Arm sweeping out Sanji's hands from underneath him causing the blonde to fall to his back with a hiss.
"You guys aren't bringing everything to me. I thought I told you to attack me with everything you got?" Shanks questioned as he was already back to his feet.
Brook moved next, unsheathing his sword, and jumping in, giving a slash that Shanks simply twisted away from. Luffy could see the crystallization in the air where he tried to freeze Shanks, but the red head look unaffected. Kicking the skeleton's rib cage and sending him in the direction of Franky.
Luffy's palms started to sweat as he felt his nails biting into his skin. It was started to feel even more like Sabaody. The utter defeat of the crew that had happened back on the Archipelago. He hissed as he grabbed at his hair, the same sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach from that moment. He knew this was just Shanks and it wasn't that moment, but the lingering feeling remained.
It was still there.
Feeling his teeth starting to extend, the growl leaving him as Nami used her weapon to create a mirage around them. He felt helpless as Shanks took down Nami, almost as if he saw right through the mirage itself. Her scream filling his ears that only added fuel to the fire.
"Stop it." He whispered, a low growl leaving him as Chopper transformed into his more human form, trying to punch at Shanks. Once again, it didn't work and Shanks had defeated another Straw Hat.
It left only him standing.
The tears prickled Luffy's eyes as he roared, launching himself at Shanks next. The flash jumping out of the way. "LEAVE THEM ALONE!" The wave of Conqueror's Haki leaving him that he could see Shanks' eyes widen for a moment. Luffy could hear bodies slamming against the wood around him. The shocked exclamations leaving others. He could see Shanks' mouth moving but couldn't hear a word he was saying through the ringing of his ears. The second he blinked; it wasn't Shanks standing before him anymore, rather Kuma. Kuma's hand descending on him and preparing to send him away.
Just like he had done to his crew.
They were gone.
He was in Sabaody again.
The feel of the grass underneath his knees as he begged to know what happened to his packmates. He couldn't see them. Couldn't pick up their scents.
The fear coursing through his veins.
"WHERE ARE THEY?!" He screamed, letting the haki flood through his arm. Hands settled on his shoulders and Luffy lashed out before he could even think. He had to protect his crew. He had to save them. He threw the haki covered punch, sitting Kuma in the jaw before he was flying backwards into the cabins.
It transformed again as he could feel the poison lingering on his skin. The sharp pain itching underneath his skin. The sense of absolute dread flooding through him. In front of him was the empty cell. Ace's cell. He was gone. He was too late.
He had fallen into Magellan's poison and it had wasted the precious time he had to get to Ace. He could hear Blackbeard's chuckling. His taunts as he regarded Ace's actions to protect Luffy. With the movement in the corner of his eye, Blackbeard was standing there. Cackling at him for the fact that he would be cause for his brother's demise.
Ace wasn't going to die. Not if he had anything to say about it. "YOU!" He bellowed, using yet another haki covered fist to hit Blackbeard square in the nose. "YOU DID THIS TO HIM!"
"LUFFY!"
Ace?
Within a blink of an eye, Impel Down was gone. Replaced with Marineford. His brother on the scaffold with his arms bound behind his back. The bruises and cuts littering his body. The clear fatigue on him.
It wasn't just his crew in danger anymore.
It was Ace.
Ace was going to die if he didn't do something.
He turned his head, hoping to see Ace there.
Akainu stood before him. The heat of his magma radiating over Luffy's skin that he could feel from his power. Luffy embedded haki into his skin, strengthening his arm and fist before he was slamming it into Akainu's gut. Hearing the sound of shock that followed before Akainu was crashing against the mast of the ship.
Wait, mast of the ship?
It disappeared into the fog of his mind again. Hearing the screams surrounding him. The blood on his body. How his body screamed for him to stop. He curled his fingers into his hair, closing his eyes and forcing himself to breathe through his nose.
This was over. They were safe. He was safe. Ace was safe. Sabo was here. This couldn't be real, but it felt so real.
Hands snaked into his hair, palms against his cheeks, forcing his head up before he felt something soft covering his mouth. He froze completely with the smell of passion fruit and roses filled his nose. The tension leaving his shoulders as he reached out, digging his nails into whatever was in front of him. A soft pained hiss following a second later as he felt liquid touch his fingertips.
His extended claws started to retract as did his canines. Going back into their places as if it had never happened. The burn in his eyes slowing down until it was too completely gone.
The softness left his lips, leaving just a tingle behind as the ringing in his ears disappeared. Leaving just silence around him. He let his eyes flutter back up. Stinging following just for a moment as his eyes to adjust to the harsh light that invaded them. Law was standing before him, soft eyes looking at him with concern. "Straw Hat-ya?"
"Traffy?" Luffy muttered. He blinked as he looked around. Noticing the others standing around him with the same looks of concern. None of what happened made sense to him. He looked over his shoulder to see Shanks looking at him with wide eyes, hand on his jaw. Sabo was standing off to the side, cradling a bloody nose.
"You dissociated Straw Hat-ya. You were seeing things that weren't actually there." Law stated. "You started swinging on people calling them other people."
Luffy blanched, looking down at the ground. Looking at his palms to see the bloody marks there from his nails. He looked over to his nakama, seeing their worry. "Captain, you alright?" Sanji questioned.
"You scared the hell out of us, Luffy." Nami muttered.
Luffy nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Don't bullshit anyone, Straw Hat-ya." Law growled. "That isn't alright."
Luffy smiled as he looked over to the Omega. "I'll be fine. I just have to work harder."
Law groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. That's when Luffy noticed the blood on his shoulders, peeking through the yellow fabric of his sweatshirt.
He had done that.
Looking back to the injuries of the others. He had also done that.
"Oh God." Shanks whispered, pulling their attention away. Luffy looked to his Omega father to see Shanks looking past him. A pained hiss followed. The Alpha's head snapped in the direction, seeing Ace curled up on his knees, forehead leaning against the deck. The painfilled grimace on his face.
"Ace?" Luffy questioned, pushing past the others as the attention turned from him to Ace. He kneeled down by his brother, hearing his quick breathing. "Ace, are you okay?"
Ace didn't answer him. Instead clutching at his stomach as his shoulders shook. Marco had rushed over, hands reaching out to cradle Ace's face in his hands, muttering to him to try and get him to speak. More sets of footsteps followed as Shanks went to his other side, gripping his shoulders and pulling him up. Luffy felt the air catch in his throat as he noticed the large mark on Ace's stomach. Turning a sickening shade of purple and blue. The shape of a fist almost imprinted within the large bruise. He placed a hand over his mouth as his eyes widened.
He had seen Akainu.
He punched him.
In the gut.
It wasn't Akainu.
It was Ace.
"What have I done?" Luffy whispered.
He could see the tears pooled in Ace's eyes as he hissed through his teeth, still trying to curl in. Law kneeled down next to Luffy, muttering with a frown on his face as a room appeared around them. "Ace?" Shanks muttered, moving some of Ace's hair out of his face.
"It hurts." Ace groaned.
Luffy watched Law move the corner of his eye, land reaching out and pressing against Ace's thigh. "Fuck." Law growled. "Get him to the Medical Bay! NOW!" When the Omega pulled back, eyes were on his hands. The blood on his fingers. Marco was the first to react, scooping Ace up off of the deck and starting towards the Medical Bay as Law yelled out what he would need.
Luffy could only stay where he was. Completely stunned as Shanks reached over and pulled him into his chest. Luffy couldn't hear a word that Shanks was saying to him as he eyes lingered on where Ace disappeared too.
"What the hell did I do?"
X
All he could feel was pain. The pain ripping through his gut. His vision was blurry, the movement around him just sending more pain through him. Through the fog he could barely make out Law and Marco. Their voices distorted as he felt the softness of a bed underneath him.
Luffy had been panicking. Luffy wasn't okay. Luffy needed someone. He couldn't just be here. He needed to get to his brother.
Yet through the pain he was in. He couldn't move.
Luffy had been there for him since Marineford. He needed to be there for Luffy.
He could feel the sweat building up on his body. Hands moving over his abdomen. Was that Law speaking to him? Light flashed in his eyes for a moment. His thighs felt weird. They felt wet.
He felt weird. His stomach hurt. His breathing started to pick up. His stomach hurt. He snapped his eyes open, the panic coursing through him. Luffy on the forefront of his mind. His pup.
Hands landed on his shoulder, pushing him back down as Law appeared before his eyes. Fingers running through his hair. "Ace? Can you hear me?" Ace nodded quickly. "Alright, you have to stay calm okay. You're having heavy bleeding, but I think we can stop it. Marco is working right now so I want you to squeeze my hand until the pain lessens." As soon as Law finished talking, he curled their hands together.
Some of the fog disappeared that he could see the blue surrounding him, Law's free hand working out of his sight. He felt the oxygen line in his nose and the needle in his arm now. He had been in so much pain. He could feel the flutter of Marco's fire over his abdomen.
Ace turned his head to look back at Law. The determined look plastered on his face. "Luffy… how is Luffy?"
Law side eyed him, a soft smile on his face. "He's alright for now. He's with Shanks-ya." Law said. Ace felt the slight relief going through him. "He'll need time. Just like all of you. For now, you focus on you. Your mother has Luffy." Ace gasped as pain shot through him again, his fingers squeezing Law's as the other Omega softly shushed him. "We need to knock him out."
Ace turned his head towards Law again. "Is my baby going to be okay?"
Law smiled at him. "I would rather die first before I let you lose this pup."
Ace felt the prick on his arm before his eyes were slipping shut. The last thing he saw was Marco's flames dancing over his abdomen.
X
The entire deck was tense. Shanks kept his hold on Luffy as Luffy held onto Shanks' arm. Both of them shaking as they just stared at the door. They had been sitting here for a few hours and Law and Marco had both yet to come out. They couldn't enter the Medical Bay to keep it sterile.
No one could even speak.
Just waiting.
It felt like an eternity that they were sitting there.
This wouldn't have happened if Shanks hadn't challenged Luffy. Well, more so, the Strawhats in all. He wanted them to know they were prepared by them seeing it, and in end result was Luffy having an episode of dissociation. He had pushed Luffy too far, and now Ace was in the medical wing.
"Is he… is he going to be okay?" Luffy questioned, his voice cracking.
Shanks tightened his grip around Luffy, leaning his nose into Luffy's hair. "He'll be fine. They'll both be fine." He murmured, running his fingers through his son's hair. It was never supposed to turn out this way. It was just supposed to be a simple fighting session. He couldn't even begin to imagine what was going through Luffy's head. Shanks wasn't even sure if he was trying to reassure Luffy or himself at this point.
It was too eerily quiet once they finished speaking.
The Strawhats were surrounding them. A hand on their Captain, reaching out in their silent support. Sabo was behind Shanks. His knees touching Shanks' back. The Omega Captain could feel the boy shaking.
They could only wait for Marco or Law to come out.
Ace was in excellent hands.
They would be okay.
They had to be.
Their attention was finally caught as the door opened and Law stepped out onto the deck. The front of his sweatshirt covered in blood. Shanks held his breath as Law leaned against the cabin, a hand over his eyes as he exhaled sharply. Luffy choked on the air in his throat, his nails digging into Shanks' forearms. The fear radiating off of the young Alpha as they all just watched Law's movements. Law finally looked at them, looking completely exhausted as he said, "They're okay. Both of them. Freckles-ya is just resting now."
X
Luffy was instantly to his feet. His heart pounding against his chest as he crossed the deck to stand in front of Law. "What happened?" He could hear the sounds of relief coming from the others behind him as Law stood back up to his full height, leaning against the wall for support.
"It's hard to say really." Law muttered. "At first, I feared possibly a placental abruption was trying to occur, but it never happened. I believe he had a subchorionic hematoma. We found a small hole in his womb hidden underneath the placenta which Marco-ya's abilities were enough to fix it."
"What are you saying?" Luffy questioned. "Did I do that to him?"
Shanks was back, leaning against his back, arms wrapped around his torso that Luffy took advantage of the comfort that Shanks was showing to him. Leaning back against his Omega father. Law gave him a soft smile and shook his head. "I don't believe you did. In reality, I think because it happened, it revealed something that could have been a problem later on."
"So, this has been happening to him the entire time?" The Alpha questioned further.
Law nodded.
Luffy turned and smiled up at Shanks, tears prickling into his eyes as he leaned into Shanks' chest. "He's okay." He muttered.
"Now that I know they are okay, we should focus on you for a moment, Straw Hat-ya." Law stated. "You had an episode of PTSD." Shanks arms tightened around Luffy for a moment. It only took a second for Luffy to realize that Shanks was blaming himself for what happened. It's not like they would have known Luffy would react that way.
There was no way he could go into the New World like this. He had also seen exactly what Shanks was doing. He was showing them all that they weren't ready. He sighed as he pulled away from Shanks. He had to work on himself and find a way to cope with his own traumas before he could allow them to all be within a fight. He couldn't risk allowing his loved ones to get hurt again.
"I saw Sabaody… Impel Down… and Marineford again." Luffy whispered. "It doesn't matter what I do before we get to the Sunny. We are not prepared for the New World." He stated, turning back towards where his crew were standing. "I see that now. We all have to work as hard as possible before we can go through Fishman Island. I've been to the New World. I know it's rougher there. If… if we go, we aren't going to last long. We have to get stronger. All of us." Luffy smiled at his nakama, grinning as he placed his arms behind his head. He didn't want to do this. He wanted to stay with his pack, having adventures but if they wanted to continue, they needed to do this. "So this is it, instead of meeting back at the Sunny once we reach Sabaody, we will instead start training. Two years. Two years from now, we will meet back at the Sunny."
He could see the tears forming in his nakama's eyes but smiles on their faces anyway. "Yes, Captain." He heard a mixture come from them as he held out a hand in between all of them. One by one, starting with Zoro, a hand was placed over his before all nine of them had their hands up. Chopper, on Robin's shoulder, being the top one.
"Nothing will ever break this bond we have, guys. I love you guys." Luffy said, using his free hand to wipe the tears on his face. "Rather we separate to do this, or we go our own ways for the time being. We'll be so much stronger in two years. We can do this."
"We have to be for the future Pirate King." Zoro stated his hand tightening over Luffy's. A grin plastered on his face as he looked over to his Captain. Luffy returned the same grin, bumping his shoulder against Zoro's.
"Just don't get lost doing so, Marimoo." Sanji muttered, leaning his head on Zoro's free shoulder to which the green haired Alpha placed his chin against Sanji's head.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Does this mean… that this is it for us?" Chopper questioned, tears pooling in his eyes. "I want to get stronger, but I want to stay with you all."
"It's clear now, Chopper. We aren't ready. We couldn't even scratch, Shanks-san." Sanji muttered.
"We've been overconfident in our abilities. Sabaody was enough to prove that." Robin stated, a hand popping out of her arm to pat Chopper on the top of the head. Luffy reached over, his hand joining Robin's as Chopper looked at him.
"It's okay, Chopper. This isn't goodbye. We will return to the Sunny stronger than ever." Luffy said. Chopper nodded, the tears spilling out of his eyes as he ran over their connected hands to wrap his paws around Luffy's neck. Luffy laughed slightly as he wrapped his free arm around the small reindeer, letting his fingers swirl through his fur.
"We did get our asses handed to us and Shanks-san barely moved to do so." Sanji whispered, the blonde looking over Luffy's shoulder to where Shanks was standing. "Is that what you were truly to do? Show us that we needed to get stronger?"
Luffy looked back just enough to see Shanks smiling and nodding. "That's right. Luffy's been pushing himself ever since you left Marineford. I monitored the entire war before our arrival. I got to see you in action myself. I know that you all can be stronger. Marineford is just a taste of what it's like in the New World. You are my son's pack, which in turn means you have the support of the Red-Hair Pirates, but I want to see you stand on your own. Like I know you can, you've made it this far. The New World is not for the faint of heart. You need to be able to stand alone if you want to make it there." Shanks explained. The red-haired Omega laughed for a second. "You know, when Luffy was seven he told me he would form his own crew. One that would be stronger than mine. You aren't there yet, but you can be. How far are you willing to go for this crew?"
"We are Luffy's nakama. We'll get stronger. Even if it's just for him." Nami stated, the smile on her face despite her own tears.
"All of us." Brook added.
"Super." Franky whispered, letting out a loud cry.
Luffy turned his body just enough to look at his Omega father. "I'll beat you one day. I have to go through all of you to become King, and I will."
Shanks smirked. "I'll wait for that day."
"So will I." Whitebeard added, walking over to stand behind Shanks. "You gotta bring everything you got, brat."
"If you are going to try and beat them. You have to go through me first." Luffy's grin turned bigger from the voice that came from behind the two yonkos. The two moving out of the way to show Ace standing there, leaning against Marco's side. "You have still yet to ever actually beat me in a fight. What makes you think you can defeat them, if you can't even beat me?"
"Ace!" Luffy exclaimed. Chopper scurried away from Luffy's shoulder as their hands dropped. The Alpha rushed over, arms wrapping around Ace. Twisting around him and pulling his brother to him.
Law had made a choked sound from where he was standing. "I swear, what the hell is with this family? Does any of them actually stay in bed?"
Marco had disappeared away from Ace's side, disappearing through the corner of Luffy's eye. Ace laughed slightly, placing a hand on top of Luffy's head. "You okay, Luffy?"
Luffy nodded. "I am now."
"Don't push yourself, okay?" Ace muttered. "You scared the shit out of me."
Luffy pulled back enough so he could look his brother in the eye. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen."
Ace gave him a gentle smile. "I know. Don't blame yourself, alright. You just work on you. I'm okay, I promise."
Luffy grinned as he pulled away from Ace, looking over his shoulder to see Marco's flame flickering over Sabo's face as Luffy grimaced. "Oops."
"It's alright, Lu. It didn't even hurt that much." Sabo stated as Marco pulled his hand back. The bruising from Sabo's face was gone now as he reached up and touched his nose for a second. "See. All fixed up. I've had worse. I'm more concerned for you, Luffy. I've never seen you like that."
Luffy mustered up the best grin that he could do as he looked at the blonde Beta. "I'll be okay." He whispered. Ace's grip on him tightened for a moment before he felt straw on his head. His eyes widening for a split second as he looked up to see the brim of his hat. He frowned for a moment as he reached up and pulled the hat off. Looking down at it for a moment. He looked back at Ace as he passed the hat back to him. Seeing the shock on his face for the moment. "I'll take this back in two years when I'm ready to go to the New World. I'll have to fight you to get that back."
Ace blinked at him, his jaw dropping for a moment. "Luffy—"
"Don't try and change my mind. That hat is my promise with dad. Say it will be my motivation to beat you. If I can't defeat you, I don't get it back. I have to prove that my training pays off."
The shock on Ace's face disappeared and a smirk came to his face. "Alright, I'll see you in Sabaody in two years then. We have a fight to have." He paused for a second, slipping the hat back on his head. "You better beat me to get this back because this belongs on your head. Not mine."
"You bet I will cause I'm gonna kick your ass." Luffy stated.
Ace held his hand out, Luffy clapping his own against it as their fingers curled over the back of each other's hands. "I'll hold you to that."
Luffy let go of Ace's hand as he turned back to look at his nakama. "So, it's settled then. In two years, we will set sail for the New World."
X
The mood on the deck had uplifted, Luffy was back to laughing. Enjoying the time with his crew before they reach Sabaody. Shanks smiled at his sons, as he reached out and placed on hand on both of them, pausing as he noticed the three marks that were sewed back together on the top. He blinked as he surveyed the damage. Those had definitely not been there when Luffy left. He paused as he tilted the hat slightly, his boys looking at him for a moment.
"What happened?" Shanks questioned, motioning to the marks on the top. Luffy had sworn that he would keep the hat in top shape. He knew there was always chances that the hat could receive damage, but this looked like someone had cut through it. He wasn't expecting to see it without some damage to it. This was just odd because of the placement of the damage.
Luffy's gaze followed Shanks' before he made a sound. "Oh yeah, Buggy did that in Orange Town." Shanks felt the air catch in his throat. "Nami fixed it for me."
"Buggy did this?" He heard a slight squeak behind him for a moment. A sound that he knew that Buggy could only make. Shanks let out a low growl as he dropped his hand. "Now, why would he do that?"
"I didn't mean for it to happen, I swear! I know you told me to return it in good condition!" Luffy exclaimed. "We were fighting in Orange Town, and he had saw how angry I got when he first cut it and told me if it was so special that I needed to protect it! I was I swear, he took it right out my hand with his knives! I swear I never meant for it to happen. I promised I would bring it back for our promise!"
"He really was so angry about it." Nami muttered. "If I remember right, Buggy called it a worthless, dirty old hat." Shanks let out a growl as he balled up his fist. "I'm pretty sure he called Shanks a testable red-haired bastard too before he stepped on it. Luffy got so pissed that he told Buggy to never mention Shanks' name to him again."
"If they were supposed to be sworn brothers… why would Buggy say those things or even do that knowing that hat belonged to him?" Chopper questioned.
Nami sighed. "I overheard the entire thing. Buggy apparently loathes Shanks because of an incident that happened when they were kids." Shanks could feel his nails biting into his palms. His mind flashing back to the moment that Buggy had jumped overboard and didn't resurface. The moment he had eaten the Bara Bara no Mi. Their relationship was never the same after that. "Something about Shanks making him lose out on treasure because Buggy's dumbass hide his devil fruit in his mouth and Shanks scared him."
"That's not nice. Blaming someone for something they couldn't control." Chopper muttered.
"Said something about always cursing his name too or something like that." Nami hummed.
Shanks could feel the anger in him spiking as Nami's words rang through his head. Buggy could say whatever he wanted. Hate him for what happened. Curse his name for eternity.
But no one touched the straw hat.
His father's straw hat.
Shanks snapped his head in the direction of where Buggy was. Watching as the shiver went down his spine from the glare that the Omega leveled on him. "Worthless, dirty old straw hat? That's what you think of it?"
Buggy's face warped into his own annoyance as he nodded. "Yes. That's all it is. It's just a worthless piece of straw that reminds me of the same whore that wore it." He could hear Ace and Luffy growl from behind him, the tension quickly filling the air. "You care about that piece of shit like a child. Which you are an Omega so it's fitting isn't it."
Shanks growled as he turned on his heel, making his way over to where Buggy was standing, reaching out and pulling Buggy forward by the front of his shirt. "You come onto my ship… I get your ass out of Marineford… and you are going to call that hat worthless?"
"Because it is!" Buggy shouted. "I'll keep saying it, you red-haired bastard! I'm glad I cut that damn thing. Did I hurt your feelings? Are you going soft on us? You have always been too gentle to be a pirate." The front of Shanks' shirt was grabbed into Buggy's hands, pulling him the rest of the way forward until they were nose to nose. "The hat is just a worthless piece of garbage that is better off destroyed and I'll gladly do it." One of Buggy's hands disappeared away from Shanks' shirt, a shocked sound following from Ace a second later as the straw hat came flying back into Shanks' vision. The red head growled as Buggy's hand flew out towards the sea. The straw hat still in hand. "Maybe I should just throw it into the sea. That should ruin it enough."
"Don't you dare." Shanks hissed, his grip tightening on Buggy's shirt as he slammed Buggy's back into the rail.
"What are you going to do about it?" Buggy questioned.
Shanks growled again as he shouted, "Do you even know who that hat belonged too?"
Buggy scoffed. "Of course… you."
"NO!" Shanks screamed. "It belonged to the Captain! It was Roger's hat!"
Buggy's face warped into surprise as his one-handed grip loosened. "What?"
"That worthless piece of garbage belonged to Roger. Our Captain! Our father!" Shanks exclaimed. "That's why it means so much to me! He gave it to me the second we met! We picked you up not long after. I don't care what the hell you say about me! How much you fucking hate me! But, don't you dare disrespect something that my father treasured. He loved that hat. Even if it just a simple straw hat."
Buggy's other hand started to come back down before it was floating back in front of them. Shanks let the front of Buggy's shirt go as he took a step back. Buggy's hand floating between the two of them for a second before it was flying back over, and the hat was back on Ace's head. "It belonged to Captain?" Buggy muttered.
"It did, Buggy." Rouge confirmed.
Buggy tsked for a moment as he looked away from where Shanks was standing. The Omega turned on his heel, straightening his clothes before rejoining where his sons were standing. He sighed as he placed a smile on his face. "How are you feeling?" Looking between Ace and Luffy.
"Fine." Luffy said.
"Sore." Ace added.
"Okay." Shanks said, reaching out and grabbing the two boys' wrists before he was starting towards the cabins. "We're taking a nap. Luffy, stretch and grab Sabo. He's coming too."
A second later, Sabo let out a shocked exclaim before he heard the third set of footprints. He was hungover and tired. He was done with today.
X
Mihawk wasn't surprised when he returned back to the ship and discovered Shanks, Ace, Luffy, and Sabo fast asleep in Shanks' bed. Shanks was on his stomach, face buried in his pillows. Luffy was curled up in his right side, head resting on Shanks' upper back. Ace was on Shanks' left, his head resting on Shanks' arm. Sabo was next to Luffy, on his side and his head resting against Luffy's back.
The Warlord sighed, placing the stuff down in his hands, sitting down on the edge of the bed and resting his hand on top of Shanks' head. Running his fingers through red strands. "What happened today for you to come lay down like this? You haven't done this since Sabo's apparent death." He whispered, knowing that none of them would be able to hear him. He slipped off of the bed, eyeing their kids and his mate—no, husband – for a moment before he was picking the stuff back up and placing it onto the desk.
For now, he would let them sleep. He would take care of this later. They all looked exhausted. He picked up the blanket off of the floor, throwing it over the four before he was walking out of the room. Clicking the door shut behind him. He walked into the direction of the deck, gaining attention of some of those around him as he said, "Anyone want to tell me what happened?"
X
The war was devastating towards the World Government. Citizens everywhere had started revolting against the Marine bases that were placed on their islands. Citizens turning away from the Marines that were only there to protect them. Others demanding for Sengoku's immediate resignation for his actions at Marineford. The disgust that was washing through the populations from what they had witnessed.
They were still taking care of bodies that piled Marineford. The pirates had worked together and taken the bodies of their nakama with them before their departures. Even with the war over, it was still chaotic to them. Even their own soldiers were starting to faulter in their loyalties.
There was no trying to save face. No trying to win back the respect of the World at the moment. They would have to completely reform everything that they worked so hard for trying to do so. Sengoku sat in his office. The piles of reports over Marineford sitting on his desk. Resignations from soldiers. Medical reports of the wounded. Burial requests for the ones lost.
It was absolutely devastating.
So many things had came out of this war. What he believed about Fire Fist had been wrong. Gold Roger's blood no longer continued in the world, and he was prepared to kill that boy for that very reason. Even if he was a pirate and he deserved his punishment for the crimes he had committed. Sengoku had announced to the world that his lineage was the very reason he needed to be executed. In the end the Pacifistas had proved to everyone that Dracule Mihawk, one of the Seven Warlords, was indeed Ace's Alpha father. Even after he had seen for himself the soft golden glow that could only be produced by family within their eyes. Ace's own desperate scream to his father.
His mother ended up not being Portgas D. Rouge, rather than woman being his grandmother. His mother turning out to be Red-Haired Shanks. Something that he was not expecting. Red-Haired Shanks had many encounters with Marines in the past and no children had been seen. He knew just by Shanks' reaction that it was true. Shanks did not fight. He technically had no reason to be in the war at a pirate standpoint, but with Ace being his son. He had every reason to be.
Honestly, if it had been Rosinante, Sengoku would have been prepared to do the same thing.
Finding out that Trafalgar Law turned out to be the same kid that Rosinante had been trying to save was that pirate had been bittersweet. He had made a fool of himself in front of the pirates and the Marines. Being a hypocrite and embracing Law in front of all of them. The last time he had heard Rosinante's voice had came to mind and the passion of how he spoke about this child had came back. In a way, Law was his grandson. In reality, he was. Rosinante had instinctively and formally adopted the kid as his own. Sengoku had seen the mark on his wrist during his fight with Doflamingo.
He had been warning Garp for the entire time with Ace in prison and the entire war not to get involved. He had gone and done exactly what he warned Garp against. He deserved to be called a hypocrite. What he had done was wrong. It would have been different if Law wasn't a pirate. If it wasn't the middle of the war.
But, Sengoku couldn't be happier that Rosinante's will still lived on. The reason for his demise still fighting for life. Fighting to avenge him. Law was going down a path of destruction. Something that Rosinante wouldn't want to see the boy going through.
That wasn't the only mistake that he had made throughout the war. He had knowingly allowed Ace to still be put through his execution against the regulations put in place by the Five Elders. He had ordered his men to execute Luffy and Red-Haired Shanks after their connect was made together, believing them to be connected to Gold Roger. He had been proven wrong by Dark Knight Silvers Rayleigh.
In front of him were their new bounty posters. He had them put Portgas on Shanks' for one purpose. He didn't completely believe what had been told to him. The look on Shanks' face had been of betrayal. Their conversation had been so choppy. Like they were trying to hide something. The intel he had gotten had stated that Portgas D. Rouge had left the Whitebeard Pirates right after the Roger Pirates were disbanded and she had been seen with Gold Roger. He had even more intel of her being on Baterilla and the home that had been purchased there by Roger. If Roger wasn't her mate, why would he do those things for her. Be with her.
It didn't make sense.
Instincts never lied.
He paused, lifting up Shanks' bounty poster. It was a common misconception that only blood relatives could cast the golden glow from their eyes. An internal instinct reaching out to calm a pup. Calm a loved one. Make them feel protected and loved. Signifying the deep bond that was created among them. It went further than that.
Sengoku could do the exact same with Rosinante. He could do the same to Law if he wanted to because Rosinante had claimed the boy as his own.
He straightened his back as his eyes widened.
Shanks was shocked because he didn't know. He believed his father to be someone else. It was the perfect cover. Someone as smart as Gold Roger would know that. Especially the search that had happened just after he went to prison. He had prepared for something like that to happen. Why Fire Fist Ace had looked surprised. Why Luffy and Mihawk looked surprised.
Rouge and Rayleigh had made the perfect alibi.
No one would question instincts. Rayleigh would have to accept Shanks as his own. Have a bond with him and his mother. Or even just his mother. Rouge's words had seen almost forced back at Marineford. There had been too much surprise for it to be faked.
"I'll be damned, that bastard is mocking us from the grave." Sengoku growled.
Gold Roger's blood lived on.
With Shanks.
Ace.
Luffy.
Ace's pup.
They were the kin of Gold Roger and the World Government let them slip through their fingers, and there was nothing they could do. If they revoked Mihawk's Warlord status now, it would be seen as a copout to try and go after Ace again.
It had been so perfect that even Sengoku had believed it. It had been right there. Rayleigh even said he was their uncle. In front of everyone. It had only been after they were refusing to let those three leave that Rouge and Rayleigh stepped forward. They were never originally going to make that statement if it hadn't been for that.
They had been played and fell right into it.
Sengoku growled as he slammed Shanks' bounty poster back down. They were untouchable. At least for now. He rubbed a hand over his face as he heard the door open. "Fleet Admiral, sir… we have an issue."
Sengoku looked over, seeing one of his men standing at the door. "What is it?"
The soldier straightened his back as he said, "Sir, the Blackbeard Pirates and Marshal D. Teach are no where to be found. They were never taken into custody and their ship is gone."